Kendo – The Japanese Martial Art with Swords

Have you heard of the martial art called kendo? This is a modern Japanese martial art, which was refined from traditional sword fighting techniques, including techniques used by samurai in the feudal period. Furthermore, this was the combat technique that inspired the fighting style of the Jedis in the Star Wars saga.

In addition to being practiced in modern Japan, kendo practitioners can be found in other parts of the world, such as Brazil, the United States, South Korea, and countries in Europe. If we translate the word “kendo” literally, we arrive at the meaning “way of the sword”.

This martial art goes far beyond learning combat techniques; it seeks to improve the character of the practitioner, shaping their spirit, body, and mind through the principles of the katana (sword).

Origin of Kendo

Kendo is a practice that formed in the late 19th century, a time when Japanese samurai were becoming a non-existent class due to the modernization process that Japan underwent. During this process, kendo emerged as a possibility to keep the art of the sword alive and pass it on to future generations, based on some styles of Kenjutsu (the samurai’s philosophy of life).

The idea of transmitting the martial art caused its formation to change slightly, making it safer and more educational. Thus, some elements were introduced to this practice, such as the use of protective armor during training (bogu) and a bamboo sword (shinai), for example. Thus, kendo was widely taught but had an interruption due to World War II, a period when the practice of martial arts was prohibited in Japan.

Seven years later, a committee was formed to revitalize the practice, turning it into a sport and introducing it into the Japanese physical education program. Thus emerged what we call “modern kendo,” which bears a lot of resemblance to Western fencing and has little influence from Kenjutsu. In 1952 and 1970, the All Japan Kendo Federation and the International Kendo Federation were created, which would be responsible for the practice internationally.

How is kendo practiced?

Both in academies and federations, as well as the Brazilian Confederation, can promote official competitions, needing only the presence of a federated member and also the authorization of the team’s Sensei. In this way, competitions are organized into two categories: individual categories and team categories of five fighters each, subdivided by rankings. In addition, some rules are essential for the practice of this sport. Here are the main ones:

Main Rules of Kendo

• Matches are contested in a best of three format and last between three and five minutes.
• To win, the athlete must be the first to score two lethal blows (ippon), with an extension (encho) in the form of sudden death if tied.
• In the match, a strike is only validated for scoring if it is applied with the correct side of the sword (shinai), and the technical elements of the movement performed are also considered.
• The area where the match takes place (shiaijo) is square-shaped, and the measurements vary from 9 to 11 meters. The player who steps outside this square or completely leaves it receives a foul (hansoku).
• At the beginning of the fight, the fighters receive a ribbon for identification (which can be red or white) that is attached to their backs during the fight. Each ribbon indicates a side of the field to start the match. Thus, the fighter with the red ribbon starts the fight positioning themselves to the right of the referee, and the fighter with the white ribbon starts to their left.
• The fight is officiated by three referees: the main referee and two other referees. These three position themselves in a triangle to follow all angles of the fight. Thus, when two of the three referees signal a lethal blow, an ippon is awarded.

These are the main rules of kendo. Now that you know them, let’s talk a little about the main strikes used in this fight:

Main Strikes of Kendo

In kendo, there are four regions that are considered valid for scoring strikes. Thus, the strikes are defined according to the part of the body that was hit by the opponent’s attack. Therefore, these strikes are called:

• Dô: strike that hits the opponent’s abdomen;
• Tsuki: this strike is characterized by a thrust to the throat;
• Men: strike applied with the sword to the opponent’s head;
• Kote: this strike is delivered to the opponent’s forearm.

It is important to remember that kendo strikes are very safe. This is due to the numerous protections used, and also to the fact that the sword used is made of bamboo. These protective equipment includes protectors for hands, head, shoulder, neck, chest, wrists, forearms, and the area below the waist.

The armor used is also called “men” and usually protects the entire face, throat, and shoulder.

Kendo vs Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu initially emerged as a philosophy of life for Japanese samurai in the feudal period, while kendo originated after the Meiji Revolution, being used as a way to preserve this philosophy of war. Furthermore, kendo has only one type of sword, the shinai, while Kenjutsu uses different types of swords.

Kenjutsu is not really a style, but rather a term to describe any of the Japanese martial arts of the sword intended for combat and assassination. Throughout Japanese history, there are hundreds of schools that teach different styles of sword fighting.

Unlike kendo, there is basically no real fighting in kenjutsu, which currently consists mainly of memorizing kata. Kenjutsu was designed to kill, while kendo is a sport aimed at personal improvement.

Kenjutsu is generally much more restrictive and exclusive than kendo. Finding kenjutsu schools in Japan is quite complicated, and they usually do not accept just anyone. While kendo can even be found abroad.

Manga and Anime about Kendo

Kendo is often seen and portrayed in anime, especially in Bukatsu school clubs, where the vast majority of schools have some kendo team or club and other Japanese martial arts.

One of the characters from Accel World fights kendo and uses his acceleration ability to win the fight. Many other anime show kendo practitioners or fights, but that will not be the focus of this list.

The anime below focuses on kendo. Here you will see the daily life of kendo fighters, where they train and compete in tournaments or championships, with a spirit of struggle and dedication to achieve their goals.

Bamboo Blade

Kojirou-sensei, the rather indifferent teacher and coach of the school’s kendo club, is in financial trouble. As a result, he makes a bet with his fellow kendo coach and former upperclassman to see who can assemble and train the best women’s kendo team, with Kojirou’s prize being a year’s supply of food if he wins.

Motivated by the idea of free food for a year, he begins to teach the club seriously; however, most of its members have already graduated, and he needs to recruit members, as well as train them for competition against his rival. While dealing with his eccentric students, he slowly rediscovers why he loves kendo and what it truly means to be a teacher.

Other Kendo Animes

Unfortunately, there are not many animes that focus on kendo; most are quite old or did not achieve success. One of the few I can remember is Bamboo Blade; below I will mention the few that remain:

• Musashi no Ken;
• Ore wa Teppei;
• Kizuna;
• Nazca;

Manga focused on Kendo

Although there are not many adaptations into anime, you might want to take a look at the kendo mangas below. Remember that the anime mentioned earlier also have their mangas and will not be listed below.

• Mizutama Honey Boy;
• Sengoku Strays;
• Kurogane;
• Scarlet Empire;
• Shinakoi;
• Yuuhi yo Bobore;
• Cat e Dogs;